Democrats, GOP Pick Sides as Westin Workers Picket On
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The battle between workers and management at the Westin was thrust in the political spotlight yesterday as Democratic leaders pledged their support for a boycott while Republicans crossed picket lines to hold their state central committee meeting at the hotel.
Republican officials said they were holding their meeting at the Westin to protest the picket. Chairman Giovanni Cicione said the cuts to workers’ compensation was a result of taxes and other burdens the state is imposing on businesses, not the choice of the Westin owners, The Procaccianti Group.
Because keeping business in Rhode Island is key to keeping and creating jobs, Cicione said Republicans were supporting the workers through their support of the Westin.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBut members of UNITE HERE Local 217 yesterday didn't quite see it that way.
“We’ve called a boycott of the hotel,” said union member Chris Cook. “We’re asking people to not come to the hotel. That’s what a boycott is. And so it’s a shame that people would want to come when they know that we got a boycott here.”
One protestor held a sign declaring, “Young Republicans are old scabs.”
Several state Democratic leaders stood next to protestors on the picket lines, including state chairman Ed Pacheco.
“Local 217 of UNITE HERE deserves the opportunity to sit at the table with the owners of the Westin to negotiate a fair and equitable contract for all its employees,” Pacheco said. “In these difficult economic times, we are all in this together, and decisions should not be made arbitrarily that penalize the hard working men and women of Rhode Island.”
“We’re encouraging all the members of the Rhode Island Yong Democrats to support the Westin Hotel workers and join with them in honoring their boycott of the hotel,” added Meghan Grady, president of the Rhode Island Young Democrats. “Young people, in particular, are facing a tough economy and all Rhode Islanders should stand up in solidarity with the workers and support good paying jobs.”
Young Republicans meanwhile were following the lead of party leaders last night promising to spend as much money as they could at the various bars and restaurants at the hotel after the state central committee meeting in what one member described as a “buycott” of the boycott.
Rhode Island Hospital also jumped into the fray yesterday as well, saying it would honor the boycott by postponing its President’s Pursuit of Excellence Dinner, which was originally scheduled for June 16 at the Westin.
